System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices
Continuity makes it seamless to move between your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. These are the hardware and software requirements for each Continuity feature.
Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup
AirPlay to Mac
AirPlay to Mac works best with these devices and operating systems.
iOS 14 or later | macOS Monterey or later |
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The supported Mac must have the AirPlay Receiver setting turned on.
You can AirPlay to Mac at a lower video resolution from older iPhone, iPad, and Mac models and operating systems if the AirPlay Receiver setting is turned on and the adjacent "Allow AirPlay for" setting is configured to allow AirPlay either for everyone or for anyone on the same network.
You can also use this feature to share your view on an Apple Vision Pro with a Mac.
Auto Unlock
Auto Unlock works with these devices and operating systems:
watchOS 3 or later | macOS Sierra or later |
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To use Auto Unlock with Apple Watch Series 3 or later, your Mac needs macOS High Sierra or later.
To use Auto Unlock to approve requests for your Mac administrator password, your Apple Watch needs watchOS 6 or later, and your Mac needs macOS Catalina or later.
If you're not sure whether your Mac supports Auto Unlock, press and hold the Option key while choosing Apple menu > System Information. Select Wi-Fi in the sidebar of System Information. On the right side, look for ”Auto Unlock: Supported.”
Continuity Camera
Continuity Camera refers either to using iPhone or iPad as a webcam for Mac or Apple TV, or using an iOS device to take photos and scan documents on Mac.
Using iPhone as a webcam for Mac
Using iPhone as a webcam for Mac requires these devices and operating systems.
iOS 16 or later | macOS Ventura or later |
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To use as a webcam:
To also use the Center Stage feature:
To also use the Desk View feature:
To also use the Studio Light feature:
To also use the Reactions feature:
| To use with iPhone as a webcam:
To also use the Reactions feature or make manual framing adjustments:
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Using iPhone or iPad as a webcam for Apple TV
Using iPhone or iPad as a webcam for Apple TV requires these devices and operating systems.
iOS 17 or later | iPadOS 17 or later | tvOS 17 or later |
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To use as a webcam:
To also use the Center Stage feature:
To also use the Reactions feature:
| To use as a webcam:
To also use the Center Stage feature:
To also use the Reactions feature:
| Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) or later |
Using an iOS device to take photos or scan documents on Mac
Continuity Camera works with these devices and operating systems when using an iOS device to take photos and scan documents. This feature works independently of the other Continuity Camera features.
iOS 12 or later | macOS Mojave or later |
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Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup
Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup work with these devices and operating systems:
iOS 13 or later | iPadOS | macOS Catalina or later |
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Handoff
Handoff works with these devices and operating systems:
iOS 8 or later | OS X Yosemite or later | watchOS |
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To hand off a FaceTime call, your devices need macOS Ventura, iOS 16, or iPadOS 16 or later.
With Apple Vision Pro, you can hand off a FaceTime call to another device.
Instant Hotspot
Instant Hotspot requires one of these devices and operating systems:
iOS 8.1 or later |
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The device must also have an activated carrier plan providing Personal Hotspot service.
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You can then use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot from these devices:
iOS 8 or later | OS X Yosemite or later | visionOS |
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iPhone Cellular Calls
iPhone Cellular Calls requires any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan. You can then relay calls to and from that iPhone from these devices:
Mac using OS X Yosemite or later. Mac mini and Mac Pro require an external microphone or headset.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later.
iPhone widgets on Mac
iPhone widgets on Mac requires an iPhone using iOS 17 or later and a Mac using macOS Sonoma or later.
Mac Virtual Display
Mac Virtual Display requires Apple Vision Pro and a Mac using macOS Sonoma or later.
Sidecar
Sidecar works with these devices and operating systems:
iPadOS 13 or later | macOS Catalina or later |
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SMS and MMS messaging
SMS and MMS messaging requires an activated carrier plan on any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later. You can then send and receive SMS and MMS messages from these devices:
Mac using OS X Yosemite or later
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later
Apple Vision Pro
Universal Clipboard
Universal Clipboard works with these devices and operating systems when copying text, images, photos, and video from one Apple device to another.
iOS 10 or later | macOS Sierra or later | visionOS |
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To use Universal Clipboard to copy entire files from one Mac to another, each Mac requires macOS High Sierra or later.
Universal Control
Universal Control works with these devices and operating systems:
iPadOS 15.4 or later | macOS Monterey 12.3 or later |
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To use Continuity features with a Managed Apple ID, you need iOS 17 or later, iPadOS 17 or later, and macOS Sonoma or later.